Remote communication system and method based on clipboard data modifications

ABSTRACT

A first computer remotely controls, using a remote control application over a network (such as a WAN), a remote session on a second computer over a first network. The disclosed method (as implemented in a first application in the first computer) involves identifying clipboard data (associated with a copy, cut or paste operation) shared between a first and second computer during the remote session, temporarily storing the shared clipboard data, modifying, (via the first application in a unidirectional manner) the clipboard data associated with said environment, wherein the modified clipboard data is extracted by an interceptor associated with the second computer. The second computer, based on a look-up of clipboard values, executes a pre-defined action affecting the remote session, wherein the pre-defined action is different than the copy, cut, or paste operation. After executing the pre-defined action, the clipboard data is restored from the computer storage.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/255,319, filed Oct. 21, 2008, pending, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/905,102, filed Dec. 15, 2004, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of remote processing and remote access solutions. More specifically, the present invention is related to a remote communication system and method based on clipboard data modifications.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

There are a myriad of prior art remote access solutions available such as Symantec's PCAnywhere™ and GoToMyPC™ wherein users utilize specific remote access software to gain access to remote servers or PC's. FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate two such prior art remote access schemes. In a first scheme, depicted in FIG. 1 a, users (such as user 102) interested in gaining remote access to a remote server 110 first install server-specific remote access software (such as a java script 104 or ActiveX component 106) on his/her personal computer (PC) 108. Next, using the installed server-specific remote access software, users access the remotely located server 110 over network 112 (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc.).

In a second scenario, depicted in FIG. 1 b, users (such as user 114) who wish to remotely access their PC 116 install specific remote access software (such as java script 118 or ActiveX component 120) on the PC 116 that is to be remotely accessed. Next, user 114, or someone who is authorized to access PC 116 (such as a system administrator), is able to remotely access PC 116 over network 128 (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc.) after installing specific remote access software (such as a java script 122 or ActiveX component 124) via PC 126.

For example, users who are interested in remotely accessing their office PC 116 from a remote location install software such as Symantec's PCAnywhere™ software on their office PC 116. Next, users have to install a corresponding version of Symantec's PCAnywhere software in computer 126 from a remote location prior to being able to access the remotely located office PC (which should also be running the remote access software at the time access is requested).

A common aspect of prior art remote access solutions, such as the one depicted in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, is the necessity to install specific remote access software in a client PC prior to establishing communication with a remote server or remote PC, which also requires the pre-installation of remote access software.

The following patents provide general background regarding client/server interactions, but fail to overcome many of the limitations provided by the present invention.

The patent to Cavil (U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,069) provides for a client/server printer driver system. Cavil discloses a client terminal capable of submitting a job to a server, which processes the request and sends processed data to the client terminal. Additionally disclosed is a subsystem allowing a client terminal to send a portion of data to one or more servers and/or process a portion of data on the disclosed client itself. The disclosed subsystem is comprised of facilities to combine processed data from each of the different destinations to which the disclosed client terminal sent process requests.

The patent to Hare et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,625,641) provides for a method and apparatus for providing client support without installation of server software. Hare et al. disclose a client process executing on a local machine, having access to server software physically stored on a remote machine. When a client process has a request, a remote server software entry is located in a mount table entry. Once contact is made between a client and remote host, object services are provided to the disclosed client process. Also disclosed is a method of allowing a client process to locate an active server process at a remote host machine by utilizing the disclosed mount table entry. Processes are located and contacted on a remote host without user intervention.

The patent application publication to Mizutani (2003/0105813 A1) discloses a system and method for allowing client application processing requests to be processed on a server. A client-side I/O device is initialized based on information received from a server. The disclosed I/O device receives output information provided by the application-processing unit of the disclosed server in response to processing input information received from a client.

The Japanese patent to Asada (JP 9-204383) discloses a method of selecting and connecting to a server terminal with a light load. As a result of the disclosed selection process, applications executed on the server execute faster.

The Japanese patent to Wada et al. (JP 2003-30383) discloses a method connecting a client terminal to a data center storing requested rental software. The disclosed data center is also comprised of a form generation database allowing for client input. See abstract.

Whatever the precise merits, features, and advantages of the above cited references, none of them achieves or fulfills the purposes of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a method as implemented in a first application associated with a first computer comprising: (a) identifying clipboard data shared between a first and second computer, the first computer remotely controlling, via a second application, a remote session on the second computer over a first network, the remote controlling performed via a bidirectional communication, and the clipboard data being associated with a copy, cut or paste operation; (b) temporarily storing in computer storage the clipboard data; (c) the first application, modifying, via a unidirectional communication with the environment, the clipboard data associated with the environment, the modified clipboard data extracted by an interceptor associated with said second computer and, based on a look-up of clipboard values, executing a pre-defined action affecting said remote session, the pre-defined action different than the copy, cut, or paste operation; and (d) restoring clipboard data from the computer storage.

The present invention also provides for a method as implemented in a first application associated with a first computer comprising: (a) identifying shared clipboard data between a first and second computer, the first computer remotely controlling, via a second application, a remote session on the second computer over a first network, the remote controlling being performed via a bidirectional communication, and the clipboard data being associated with a copy, cut or paste operation; (b) temporarily storing said shared clipboard data in computer storage; (c) substituting said shared clipboard data associated with said environment with a string using the first application and in a unidirectional manner, the substituted string being extracted by an interceptor associated with the second computer and, based on a table look-up of pre-defined strings and associated pre-defined actions, determining a pre-defined action associated with the substituted string, and executing the associated pre-defined action, the associated pre-defined affecting the remote session and being different than said copy, cut, or paste operation; and (d) restoring clipboard data from the computer storage.

The present invention also provides for an article of manufacture having computer readable program code implementing each of the above-described methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b illustrate two prior art remote access schemes.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method of the present invention

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention's communication method implemented in a session server for remote access to applications implemented in object servers, wherein each object server implements at least one application

FIGS. 5 through 15 illustrate various screenshots of one implementation of the present invention's system and method for remote access to applications implemented in object servers.

FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention's interceptor.

FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention's interceptor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment, the invention may be produced in many different configurations. There is depicted in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the associated functional specifications for its construction and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention provides for a method and system for remote communication. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the communication system of the present invention. The present invention's communication system provides access to remotely controllable applications, wherein the system comprises a session server 202 and one or more object servers 204, 206, 208, and 210. Each object server is associated with at least one remotely controllable application, wherein processing associated with the remotely controllable application affected by reflected modifications in one or more client environment(s) (such as client environment(s) associated with client 200). Session server 202 stores one or more software modules, wherein each software module is capable of monitoring modifications to at least one client environment (such as client environment(s) associated with client 200) and communicating with at least one object server (204, 206, 208, or 210) to reflect such modifications. Session server 202 establishes a communication session with one or more clients (such as client 200), identifies at least one remotely controllable application associated with the communication session, loads a software module corresponding to identified remotely controllable application to communicate with corresponding object server (204, 206, 208, or 210), monitors modifications to client environment via the loaded software module, and reflects modifications in said client environment to said corresponding object server.

It should be noted that session server 202 and object server 204, 206, 208, or 210 does not have to be in the same premises, nor, the same segment of a network. They can be on a separate LAN, VAN, or WAN. Hence, the specific locations of the session server and the object servers should not be used to restrict the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary method 300 of the present invention. In step 302, a communication session is established between a session server and a client. As one example, the communication session is established as a virtual private network (VPN) session. In the preferred embodiment, the client is a web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer™, Netscape™, Mozilla™, etc.) and the session server is a terminal server. Also, in one embodiment, communication between the client and the session server is performed via the Remote Desktop Protocol™ (RDP). It should be noted that communication between the client and the session server is over any of, or a combination of, the following networks: a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet.

In step 304, the session server loads at least one software application among a plurality of software applications to communicate with at least one object server. Next, in step 306, the loaded software application monitors one or more client environment(s) to detect any changes in the client environment(s). In step 308, the loaded software application reflects modified client environment(s) to the corresponding object server, wherein processing associated with the communication session is effected, in step 310, based on the reflected modified client environment(s) and communication between the session server and corresponding object server.

In the preferred embodiment, the client environment(s) is reflected using one or more semaphore flags. In one embodiment, a plurality of semaphore flags is used, wherein each flag is represented via a 16-bit masked constant that triggers a corresponding action. For example, a semaphore flag could be represented by the 16-bit value—00000000:00000001, which corresponds to the action command—OPEN. Similarly, another semaphore flag could be represented by the 16-bit value—00000000:00000010, which corresponds to the action command—CLOSE.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention's communication method 400 implemented in a session server for remote access to applications implemented in object servers, wherein each object server implements at least one application. In step 402, the session server establishes a communication session (e.g., a VPN session) with a client (e.g., a web browser such as Internet Explorer™, Netscape™, Mozilla™, etc.). In step 404, the session server identifies at least one application to be remotely loaded and executed in a corresponding object server and, in step 406, the session server loads an appropriate software module to communicate with corresponding object server, wherein the software module corresponds to at least one application to be remotely loaded and executed.

Next, in step 408, the session server monitors modifications to at least one client environment via the loaded software module and, in step 410, the session server reflects modifications in the client environment(s) to the corresponding object server. In step 412, processing associated with the communication session is effected based on reflected modifications in the client environment and communication between the session server and the corresponding object server.

In the preferred embodiment, the client environment(s) is reflected using one or more semaphore flags.

FIGS. 5-15 illustrate various screenshots of one implementation of the present invention's system and method for remote access to applications implemented in object servers. First, an authorized user establishes a virtual private network (VPN) session with a session server. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, an initial login screen is presented to the user via a client (such as a browser). An authorized user then logs into his/her account using the login page. Similarly, an authorized user opens a remote desktop connection via logging into the session server via a login screen shown in FIG. 6. After, logging into the session server, an access portal application is rendered to the user as shown in FIG. 7. The user then clicks on a choice (for example, a user can click on the choice—“Launch Docu_TS_Image”) to launch the appropriate application in the session server.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sample screenshot after an authorized user logs into his/her account via the login of FIG. 5. In this example, the user clicks on “Adjustor Centre” (of FIG. 8) to view a particular workflow as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 illustrates the ability to pick and view another user's “Adjustor Centre”. FIG. 11 shows a sample “Adjustor Centre”, wherein a user can click on various workflow items (such as entries for “Correspondence”, “MedicalBillsRecords”, MedicalReports”, or “StateForms”). Clicking on each of these workflow entries launches appropriate software in the session server to communicate with appropriate object server implementing the workflow entry clicked. For example, when the user clicks on the entry corresponding to item—“Correspondence” and item—“assigned to”, the application shows specific correspondence items (such as the two items shown in FIG. 12-14). When the user further selects and clicks on a specific item of “Correspondence” as in FIG. 14, the client environment is changed and the change is reflected by the session server to the appropriate object server (e.g., the object server implementing the DocuView application), which responds by rendering data to the client (e.g., browser), as shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention's method as implemented in a first application associated with a first computer 1602 comprising: (a) identifying an environment 1610 associated with the first computer 1602 that is remotely controlling, via a second application 1608, a remote session 1616 on a second computer over a first network 1612 (the environment 1610 defining a plurality of parameters communicated between computers 1602 and 1604 as part of a remote session 1616, with each parameter in the plurality of parameters defining an action associated with the remote session 1616), wherein the remote controlling is performed via a bidirectional communication; and (b) the first application 1606, via a unidirectional communication with the environment 1610, modifying at least one parameter associated with the environment 1610, wherein the modified parameter is extracted by an interceptor 1614 associated with the second computer and, based on a look-up, executes a pre-defined action affecting the remote session 1616, with the pre-defined action being different than the modified parameter's associated action.

As a non-limiting example, the first computer 1602 is a client and the second computer 1604 is a terminal server, wherein the client is remotely controlling a RDP® session running on the terminal server. The environment 1610 associated with the client is defined by a plurality of parameters associated with the RDP® session, wherein the parameters can be any (but should not be limited to) the following: keyboard scan codes, cursor position, mouse position, clipboard data, screen resolution, or channel administration. Each of these parameters associated with the RDP session have an associated action.

For example, in a RDP session, when the cursor position parameters (x, y) change based on a change in the position of an input device (e.g., a mouse) associated with the client, such position changes in the client-side has an associated action of changing the mouse position in the remote session 1615 running on the terminal server. As another example, in a RDP session, when a key is depressed in an input device (e.g., a keyboard) associated with the client, such a depression of a key at a client has an associated action of inputting the value of the depressed key in the remote session 1615 running on the terminal server. As yet another example, when the second application sets the resolution of the remote session to 1024×768, the value of ‘1024×768’ is set in the client environment which causes the remote session running at the terminal server to be rendered at the resolution of 1024×768.

In this non-limiting example, the first application unidirectionally modifies one of the parameters associated with the environment 1610 (it is important to note that the change is propagated in a unidirectional manner as the first application 1606 does not wait for a feedback or acknowledgement). For example, the first application 1606 changes the value of the cursor position to (−4, 20) in environment 1610. Interceptor 1614 is aware of the change in the cursor position. Interceptor 1614 has access to a stored table that can be looked up for determining what pre-defined action needs to be executed that corresponds to the cursor position value of (−4, 20). The stored table has a listing of parameter values and associated actions that need to be executed. A simple non-limiting example of the stored table is provided below:

Current Parameter Value Associated Action Modified Value Pre-Defined Action Cursor Position (5, 20) Place cursor position (−4, 20) Open desktop editor in at x = 5, y = 20 remote session Cursor Position (5, 20) Place cursor position (−5, 20) Open email application at x = 5, y = 20 in remote session Screen 1024 × 768 Set current remote 1024 × 766 Print currently open file Resolution session resolution to in remote session 1024 × 768 Clipboard Data Value of Post value in clipboard Clipboard Enter value of X in clipboard into application modified with current field of requesting a paste pasted value application in remote operation. changed of session and run a script. “POST(X)”

Although the above-mentioned example illustrates changing the value of the cursor position to an illegal value of −4, it should be noted that the value does not have to be changed to an illegal value as the table can be updated to execute a pre-defined action for a legal value.

Another non-limiting example involved the modification of the clipboard data. The first application unidirectionally modifies the clipboard data (it is important to note that the change is propagated in a unidirectional manner as the first application 1606 does not wait for a feedback or acknowledgement) such that the clipboard has a value of “POST(X)”. This value is reflected at the remote session and the Interceptor 1614 has access to a stored table that can be looked up for determining what pre-defined action needs to be executed that corresponds to the clipboard value of “POST(X)”. The pre-defined action, which is different than just a paste operation of the value, could be the input of the value of X into a script that is executed. It should be noted that if there is already a string or value in the clipboard (for example, a value that was copied by the user of first computer 1602), the present invention can temporarily store the clipboard value, modify the clipboard with the new value, execute the pre-defined action corresponding to the modified value, and then revert the clipboard back to the original state of having the temporarily stored value.

The unidirectional nature of parameter modification, where no feedback or acknowledgement is received by the first application 1606 provides for a robust operation as the first application 1606 need not be programmed to account for any network and/or firewall paths that might have to be accounted for during the proper return of an acknowledgement message.

Network 1612 can be any of, or a combination of, the following: local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless wide area network (WWAN), a cellular network, or the Internet.

The present invention, in another embodiment, provides for a method, as implemented in an interceptor associated with a second computer 1604, comprising: (a) monitoring an environment 1610 associated with a first computer 1602 (the environment defining a plurality of parameters communicated between the first and second computers as part of a remote session, with each parameter defining an action associated with the remote session), wherein the first computer 1602, via a bi-directional communication, remotely controls a remote session on the second computer 1604 via a second application 1608, the remote controlling performed over a first network 1612, and the environment 1610 being bi-directionally accessible by the second application 1608 and unidirectionally accessible by a first application 1606 associated with the first computer 1602; and (b) intercepting incoming traffic associated with said environment 1610 from the first computer 1602, and upon detecting a parameter modified by the first application 1606, extracting the modified parameter, wherein the pre-defined action is different than the modified parameter's associated action; (c) looking-up (e.g., based on a looking up a table) at least one pre-defined action associated with the modified parameter; and (d) executing the at least one pre-defined action, wherein the execution affects the remote session.

The present invention, in yet another embodiment, provides for a method as implemented in a first application associated 1606 with a first computer 1602 comprising: identifying an environment 1610 associated with said first computer 1602 (wherein the environment 1610 defines a plurality of parameters communicated between computers 1602 and 1604 as part of a remote session, with each parameter having a value picked from at least one valid range of values), wherein the first computer 1602 remotely controlling, via a second application 1608, a remote session on a second computer 1604 over a first network, with the remote controlling being performed via a bidirectional communication, and (b) the first application 1606, via a unidirectional communication with the environment 1610, modifying at least one parameter associated with the environment 1610, the modification comprising changing the value of at least one parameter to be outside its range of valid values, wherein the modified parameter is extracted by an interceptor 1614 associated with the second computer 1604, which, based on a look-up, executes a pre-defined action affecting the remote session.

Although the interceptor has been described in the above-mentioned description as being associated with the second computer 1604, it should be noted that the specific location and implementation of the interceptor 1614 is a matter of choice. For example, FIG. 17 illustrates that the interceptor 1614 can be implemented independent of the second computer 1604. In one embodiment, the interceptor 1618 is independently located behind a local area network (LAN) 1620. In another embodiment, interceptor 1618 is implemented as part of a router or switch (not shown).

Additionally, the present invention provides for an article of manufacture comprising computer readable program code contained within implementing one or more modules to affect a novel communication method. Furthermore, the present invention includes a computer program code-based product, which is a storage medium having program code stored therein which can be used to instruct a computer to perform any of the methods associated with the present invention. The computer storage medium includes any of, but is not limited to, the following: CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic tape, optical disc, hard drive, floppy disk, ferroelectric memory, flash memory, ferromagnetic memory, optical storage, charge coupled devices, magnetic or optical cards, smart cards, EEPROM, EPROM, RAM, ROM, DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, or any other appropriate static or dynamic memory or data storage devices.

Implemented in computer program code based products are: (a) a first application module to be deployed on a first computer, wherein the first computer remotely and bidirectionally communicates and controls a remote session implemented on a second computer, wherein the first application unidirectionally modifies at least one parameter associated with an environment associated with the first computer, wherein the environment defines a plurality of parameters communicated between the first and second computer as part of the remote session, where each parameter defines an action associated with said remote session; and (b) a second application module to be deployed in the second computer running the remote session, wherein the second application module intercepts communication data from the first computer, and upon detecting a parameter modified by the first application module, extracts the modified parameter, looks up at least one instruction associated with the modified parameter, and executes the pre-defined action, wherein the execution affects the remote session, with the pre-defined action being different than the modified parameter's associated action

CONCLUSION

A system and method has been shown in the above embodiments for the effective implementation of a remote communication system and method based on clipboard data modifications. While various preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. For example, the present invention should not be limited by software/program, computing environment, or specific computing hardware.

The above enhancements are implemented in various computing environments. For example, the present invention may be implemented on a conventional IBM PC or equivalent, multi-nodal system (e.g., LAN) or networking system (e.g., Internet, WWW, wireless web). All programming and data related thereto are stored in computer memory, static or dynamic, and may be retrieved by the user in any of: conventional computer storage, display (i.e., CRT) and/or hardcopy (i.e., printed) formats. The programming of the present invention may be implemented by one of skill in the art of remote session programming. 

1. A method as implemented in a first application associated with a first computer comprising: identifying clipboard data shared between a first and second computer, said first computer remotely controlling, via a second application, a remote session on said second computer over a first network, said remote controlling performed via a bidirectional communication, said clipboard data associated with a copy, cut or paste operation; temporarily storing in computer storage said clipboard data; said first application, via a unidirectional communication with said environment, modifying said clipboard data associated with said environment, said modified clipboard data extracted by an interceptor associated with said second computer and, based on a look-up of clipboard values, executing a pre-defined action affecting said remote session, said pre-defined action different than said copy, cut, or paste operation; and restoring clipboard data from said computer storage.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said interceptor is implemented as computer readable program code in said second computer.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first network is a wide area network (WAN).
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said interceptor is implemented as computer readable program code in a network device communicating over a second network with said second computer.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said second network is a local area network (LAN) associated with said second computer.
 6. An article of manufacture having computer usable medium implementing a method as implemented in a first application associated with a first computer, said medium comprising: computer readable program code identifying clipboard data shared between a first and second computer, said first computer remotely controlling, via a second application, a remote session on said second computer over a first network, said remote controlling performed via a bidirectional communication, said clipboard data associated with a copy, cut or paste operation; computer readable program code temporarily storing in computer storage said clipboard data; computer readable program code modifying said clipboard data associated with said environment based on a unidirectional communication by said first application with said environment, said modified clipboard data extracted by an interceptor associated with said second computer and, based on a look-up of clipboard values, executing a pre-defined action affecting said remote session, said pre-defined action different than said copy, cut, or paste operation; and computer readable program code restoring clipboard data from said computer storage.
 7. A method as implemented in a first application associated with a first computer comprising: identifying shared clipboard data between a first and second computer, said first computer remotely controlling, via a second application, a remote session on said second computer over a first network, said remote controlling performed via a bidirectional communication, said clipboard data associated with a copy, cut or paste operation; temporarily storing said shared clipboard data in computer storage; said first application, via a unidirectional communication with said environment, substituting said shared clipboard data associated with said environment with a string, said substituted string extracted by an interceptor associated with said second computer and, based on a table look-up of pre-defined strings and associated pre-defined actions, determining a pre-defined action associated with said substituted string, and executing said associated pre-defined action, said associated pre-defined affecting said remote session and being different than said copy, cut, or paste operation; and restoring clipboard data from said computer storage.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said interceptor is implemented as computer readable program code in said second computer.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein said first network is a wide area network (WAN).
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein said interceptor is implemented as computer readable program code in a network device communicating over a second network with said second computer.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said second network is a local area network (LAN) associated with said second computer. 